| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: When proofreading a text, do you work on a printed version? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When proofreading a text, do you work on a printed version?".
This poll was originally submitted by Ehab Tantawy
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For m... See more This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When proofreading a text, do you work on a printed version?".
This poll was originally submitted by Ehab Tantawy
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629 ▲ Collapse
| | | | Jocelyne S 
France
Local time: 03:06
French to English
+ ...
| Depends on the document (and layout) | Nov 3, 2009 |
If proofreading a standard Word document, I can proofread on screen quite comfortably with a large screen and large font. Depending on the document, I sometimes prefer to print out regardless.
When I translate documents with odd page layout (academic journals, for example, which often have four columns per page - one A4 is actually two journal pages), I always print them out as they are a pain to read on screen and I feel much more confident that I won't miss any little surprises.... See more If proofreading a standard Word document, I can proofread on screen quite comfortably with a large screen and large font. Depending on the document, I sometimes prefer to print out regardless.
When I translate documents with odd page layout (academic journals, for example, which often have four columns per page - one A4 is actually two journal pages), I always print them out as they are a pain to read on screen and I feel much more confident that I won't miss any little surprises.
I used to be incapable of proofreading on screen at all, but I find that a large screen and large font (e.g., 250% zoom) makes it entirely possible to proofread efficiently. When working with graphic designers, I generally do a final paper read over of any material to be printed.
Best,
Jocelyne
Edited (ahem) for a typo...
[Edited at 2009-11-03 12:39 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ehab Tantawy
Local time: 04:06
Member (2006)
English to Arabic
+ ...
Dear Jocelyne,
Your participation in this Poll is highly appreciated. I think that I follow the same policy in my proofreading work.
Thanks for your tme.
Regards,
Ehab
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Actually, I sometimes print out at two phases, if the text needs a lot of editing.
After reviewing the text in print and noting the corrections, I save a version of the file with RED after the file-name, and set 'Track Changes' to hide what is deleted and show additions in red. Then I add my corrections, and read it on screen, undistracted by the deletions. Depending on the amount of correction needed, I sometimes print out again and repeat the process!
When I am satisi... See more Actually, I sometimes print out at two phases, if the text needs a lot of editing.
After reviewing the text in print and noting the corrections, I save a version of the file with RED after the file-name, and set 'Track Changes' to hide what is deleted and show additions in red. Then I add my corrections, and read it on screen, undistracted by the deletions. Depending on the amount of correction needed, I sometimes print out again and repeat the process!
When I am satisifed, I save a new version of the text labelled CLEAN, accept the changes and turn off 'Track changes'. I set the RED file to show what has been deleted, usually crossed out, and send both files to the client.
I sometimes use the 'comment' function in the RED file, but in general it is safer to keep the comments on paper too. Then I can express my delight or despair to my heart's content, or do my own impression of a beloved English teacher who used to snort and shout "Poppycock!" and other apt comments ... without offending the client unecessarily.
I proofread my own work on paper too. I almost always find typos and errors that evade me on screen.
Happy proofreading, folks! ▲ Collapse
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John Cutler
Spain
Local time: 03:06
Spanish to English
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| An eye for detail | Nov 3, 2009 |
For me personally, it's an essential part of quality control. I discovered long ago the amazing difference in what the eye picks up on a screen and on paper. I'm certain that this one technique is one of the factors that have kept me working non-stop as a translator for the last 10 years.
For anyone with green concerns, I always print documents on the back of pages that have already been used on one side, and every last scrap of paper goes into the recycle bin across the street.
| | | | Ehab Tantawy
Local time: 04:06
Member (2006)
English to Arabic
+ ...
Hi John,
Yes, you are right. It is a very important as QC/QA step mechanism. I think that we share the same thinking.
Thanks for your participation.
Have a nice time!
Regards,
Ehab
| | | | Ehab Tantawy
Local time: 04:06
Member (2006)
English to Arabic
+ ...
| Appreciated!! | Nov 3, 2009 |
Christine Andersen wrote:
Happy proofreading, folks!
Nice methodology Christine.
Thanks for participation!
Regrds,
Ehab
| | | | B D Finch
France
Local time: 03:06
French to English
+ ...
John Cutler wrote:
For anyone with green concerns, I always print documents on the back of pages that have already been used on one side, and every last scrap of paper goes into the recycle bin across the street.
I trust that you shred it first!
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Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 19:06
English to Spanish
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In memoriam
I do it all on the screen, I can make changes on the computer but obviously not on a printed version. I have found no problems reading text on a screen, and doing everything there is certainly much more efficient.
| | | | DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
Usually I prefer a hard-copy for it's quite tangible, soft and rustles nicely;)
If the document is not very long I can proofread it right from the screen.
But only CRT one, not that TFT/LCD. Probably just a habit.
Although I do it quite seldom because there're translators to do it for me))
Cheers
| | | | Chun Un
Macau
Member (2007)
English to Chinese
+ ...
I can't proofread on a computer screen. One of my colleagues uses a tablet PC for proofreading, but I'm not planning to get one any time soon: the cost of paper is still much cheaper than a new tablet.
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first on the screen, then I print it out and go over it just to make sure I haven't missed anything. But I also use a large font and zoom, but I need to make sure.
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lillkakan
Local time: 03:06
English to Swedish
I don't do jobs big enough to warrant it, or I do jobs in formats that simply don't lend themselves to printing for ease of reading. Once I translated a scientific report/article and it had cross references back and forth which led me to print out a copy to read on the side, parallel with the on-screen copy so that I could easily check back and forth that the headings and references were all consistent. In those situations I hate scrolling back and forth in a document on screen.
Bu... See more I don't do jobs big enough to warrant it, or I do jobs in formats that simply don't lend themselves to printing for ease of reading. Once I translated a scientific report/article and it had cross references back and forth which led me to print out a copy to read on the side, parallel with the on-screen copy so that I could easily check back and forth that the headings and references were all consistent. In those situations I hate scrolling back and forth in a document on screen.
But those jobs are few and far between. Since I don't get any negative feedback on my on-screen proofed translations, I can't be doing too shabby at it. I think it's all a matter of habit and workflow. Some print, some don't. As long as the result is good, what does it matter? ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I don't practice what I preach | Nov 4, 2009 |
John Cutler wrote:
I discovered long ago the amazing difference in what the eye picks up on a screen and on paper.
That is absolutely true. If I'm not mistaken, some studies support this finding with scientific data. In the days of white letters against a dark background, even more things used to slip by.
Also, people would write things they would never dream of saying on paper: I used to call it the "exuberance factor." Do you think that applies to twitter?
All that said, I find it hard to stick to working on paper. I get impatient to enter the corrections (and with reason, because later I often can't read them!!). So despite my convictions, I now proofread on my new large monitor that allows me to view two letter-size sheets side by side. It feels like the real thing.
So I can't say that I practice what I preach.
[Edited at 2009-11-04 01:47 GMT]
| | | | Erzsébet Czopyk
Hungary
Local time: 03:06
Member (2006)
Russian to Hungarian
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SITE LOCALIZER | protect our environment | Nov 4, 2009 |
John Cutler wrote:
For me personally, it's an essential part of quality control. I discovered long ago the amazing difference in what the eye picks up on a screen and on paper. I'm certain that this one technique is one of the factors that have kept me working non-stop as a translator for the last 10 years.
For anyone with green concerns, I always print documents on the back of pages that have already been used on one side, and every last scrap of paper goes into the recycle bin across the street.
Dear John, greetings from the trees and the owls
I highly appreciate the way you treat the environment.
Regards, Liza
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